improve the odds

USAGE SUMMARY

"improve the odds" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to increase the chances of something happening. Example: By studying for the exam, she was able to improve the odds of getting a good grade.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Local school districts administer programs for children ages 3 to 21. Improving the Odds REGARDLESS of the severity of a child's autism, early, intensive behavior intervention programs improve the odds that the child can become an independent adult.

The New York Times

How to improve the odds?

The New York Times - Arts

"You can improve the odds of success".

The New York Times - Tech

So, how can we improve the odds?

The Guardian

She has little power to improve the odds.

The New York Times

Is there a way to improve the odds?

The New York Times

Escalating a war that can't be won doesn't improve the odds; it merely deepens the catastrophe.

The New York Times

Congress could do more to "improve the odds that they don't happen as frequently", he said.

The Guardian

Ah, but there are ways to improve the odds, speakers advised.

The New York Times

Since then, he has used the power of his office to improve the odds.

The New Yorker

This should improve the odds of tying an outbreak to exposure to toxic substances.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improve the odds", ensure that you specify what actions are being taken to increase the likelihood of success. For example, "Investing in employee training can improve the odds of project success."

Common error

Avoid using "improve the odds" without specifying how the odds are being improved. For instance, instead of saying "This strategy will improve the odds", clarify with "This strategy, by reducing costs, will improve the odds of profitability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve the odds" functions as a verb phrase, where "improve" is the verb and "the odds" is the direct object. It describes an action taken to increase the probability of a favorable outcome. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is both correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improve the odds" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify how the odds are being improved. Related phrases include "increase the chances" and "enhance the likelihood", offering alternative ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the chances

Emphasizes making something more probable.

enhance the likelihood

A more formal alternative, focusing on the degree of probability.

boost the probability

Highlights a significant increase in the chance of success.

maximize the potential

Focuses on achieving the best possible outcome.

better the prospects

Suggests making future outcomes more favorable.

increase the prospects

Suggests making future outcomes more probable.

promote success

Highlights actions taken to help something flourish.

encourage a positive outcome

Focuses on creating conditions for a desired result.

optimize the conditions

Highlights that conditions are ideal for a task.

stack the deck in one's favor

Idiomatic expression meaning to manipulate circumstances to gain an advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "improve the odds" in a sentence?

You can use "improve the odds" to describe actions that increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. For example, "Regular exercise can "improve the odds" of maintaining good health".

What can I say instead of "improve the odds"?

You can use alternatives like "increase the chances", "enhance the likelihood", or "boost the probability" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "improve the odds of success"?

Yes, "improve the odds of success" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It clarifies that the goal is to increase the likelihood of achieving a successful outcome.

What's the difference between "improve the odds" and "increase the likelihood"?

"Improve the odds" is a more general expression, while "increase the likelihood" is more formal and precise. Both convey the idea of making something more probable, but the latter is often preferred in academic or professional contexts.